ADC Rejects State Police Bill Passage by House of Reps

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the House of Representatives to recommit the proposed constitutional amendment on state police, alleging that the bill was passed through unconstitutional procedures. The ADC claims that the constitutional threshold for the bill's passage was improperly achieved by counting votes sent via WhatsApp from absent lawmakers and including members who were not present during the voting.

In a statement from its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that constitutional amendments must adhere strictly to established procedures, warning that ignoring due process could undermine the legitimacy of the proposed state police framework. The party supports the establishment of state police to address Nigeria's security crisis but insists on a transparent and constitutional process.

The ADC also criticized the handling of the legislation, stating that there was insufficient public scrutiny and that significant policy changes were not adequately debated. The party emphasized that constitutional alterations require robust debate and adherence to both the Constitution and the House's Standing Orders.